visit a Buddhist temple
We managed to visit a Buddhist temple on Monday, December 2nd. The temple, located in Geneva, was constructed by a small group of people originating from Sri Lanka in 1992. Warnasena Rasaputram, Sri Lanka’s ambassador at United Nations at that time, among other people, are also recognized for their support in helping set up the temple. A large sign welcomes people at the entrance, informing them that they are now in a Buddhist Center. A beautiful garden surrounds the building, and there is a Buddhist statue as well as a Stupa, indications of a Buddhist temple. The temple is comprised of three rooms, a library, a room to welcome all faithful, and one for the Monks.
Our guide was kind enough to enlighten us on a few beliefs about the Buddhist religion. I was intrigued to learn that Buddhists do not believe in a superior being, but rather believe in self-enlightenment. Buddha translates to “enlighten,” and according to their beliefs, when one attains eternal peace, he or she experiences Nirvana. The guide went on to say that Buddhists spend most of their time meditating. The practice is believed to help them explore the truth. Similar to the Synagogue, the guide was critical to point out that they do not think Buddhism is a religion. Instead, it is a tradition that conforms to a spiritual way of life. To have a complete understanding of Buddhism, one must read and interpret The Four Noble Truths.
Karma and reincarnation form part of the Buddhist beliefs. In Karma, Buddhists believe that if a person does good to another person, then they will receive good deeds. On the other hand, if that person does a bad thing to another person, then bad luck would befall them. For reincarnation, Buddhists believe that if one dies, they will be reborn, taking the form of nature, an animal, or another human being. The guide informed us that Buddhists are free to worship at home or come to the temple while the Monks must live by code. They must remain celibate throughout their lives. The guide also shared his personal life before joining the religion. He said that he was once married and had two daughters. Even though he is divorced, he has no regrets whatsoever of once being a family man.
While concluding the tour, the guide acknowledged that the Bodhi tree, lotus flower, Swastika, and Dharma Wheel are symbols recognized and respected by all Buddhists. Moreover, the believers follow five strict moral principles that precede them from stealing from others, abusing drugs or alcohol, killing any living creatures, or engaging in sexual misconduct. The guide further pointed out that Monks spread positive energy to all people, and teach them to leave behind negative behavior and thoughts. One should continue doing good but stop if doing bad things.
Reflecting upon the trip, there was so much to learn within a short time. Being my first time in a Buddhist temple, I was intrigued and, at the same time, confused about whether Buddhism is a religion or way of life. I conducted in-depth research to find out what religious experts thought about Buddhism and its beliefs. A majority of these experts argued that Buddhism is a form of religion, similar to Christianity and Islamic. Regardless, Buddhism will remain to be a religion unless someone else comes forth to argue another meaning of faith, belief, and one`s shared values.